Iowa starts this Saturday under a pale, brisk sky as a sharp northwest wind runs over fields west of Des Moines. Small flakes drift like dust across driveways, and the pavement carries a dull, frosty shine wherever shaded spots still hold last night’s cold. Anyone preparing for post-Thanksgiving travel should stay alert—conditions will shift quickly as a developing winter system approaches.
According to the National Weather Service, snow spreads into central Iowa Friday afternoon, strengthening toward evening. A steady east-southeast wind between 10 and 15 mph pushes colder air into the region, raising the risk of a 2–4 inch snowfall by early Saturday morning. Drivers on I-80, I-35, and Highway 65 should expect slower travel, reduced visibility, and fast-forming slick patches after sunset. Keep extra distance and avoid sudden lane changes.
Meteorologists now highlight an early Winter Tease extending through the weekend. Snow continues into Saturday before easing by midday, leaving highs in the mid-30s and a steady northwest breeze. To be fair, the storm’s exact track matters; a subtle drift north or south could tighten or stretch the snowfall zone across the metro. Still, models hint at a classic warm-to-cold transition, raising the chance of brief mixed precipitation east of downtown before the colder column locks in.
Sunday turns bright but cold, with highs near 21° and a sharp morning wind. Monday stays mostly cloudy with a high around 28°, and Tuesday brings another chance of light snow as a broad trough sharpens over the Midwest. Wednesday turns calmer but chilly, with highs near 30°.
Long-range outlooks show below-normal temperatures from December 2–6, signaling a deeper cold push and renewed snow chances across Iowa next week. Residents heading home should prepare for shifting travel windows.
